Obituary of Herbert Dorfman

Herbert Dorfman, 8/23/1928 - 6/22/2017

Herbert Dorfman, a television news writer, producer and director in New York who later guided prospective journalists at Brooklyn College, passed away late Thursday night. He was 88 years old and lived in Leonia,N.J. Dorfman was no stranger to Brooklyn College when he took the reins of its television center in 1983. A 1951 graduate of the institution, he was a key player in a well-known row involving the Vanguard student newspaper: After Dorfman wrote a story on internal politics in the college's history department, the school's president suspended the paper for being too left-wing. As the paper subsequently re-opened and closed again, it also launched a group of young men and women into their journalistic careers, including CNN founding financial director Myron Kandel. "He was a good man, a fine journalist, a true friend and a loyal Vanguardian," said Kandel, upon learning of classmate Dorfman's death.

After his graduation, Dorfman headed to Norway on a Fulbright Scholarship in journalism, accompanied by his wife, the former Esther Gold, who also attended Brooklyn college and who survives him. The Dorfmans then returned to the U.S. where Herb took on a series of news writing, directing and production positions at major networks including executive producer of Emmy-Award winning "Channel 2 eye on" and head writer at ABC's "Good Morning America."

In addition to his wife, Dorfman is survived by his daughter, Robin Dorfman of Sunland, California; a half-brother, Walter Anderson of White Plains; and a grandson, Andrew. He is predeceased by his son, Andrew Dorfman.

A graveside service will be held Monday at 11:00 at the King Solomon Memorial Park Cemetery in Clifton, New Jersey. Donations in Dorfman's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.